Steam-engine.



H. C. DUNNIN'G..

STEAM ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR..19. 1917.

Patentedw Oct. 16, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

mm, lw 1 E w om Y 772 yezfor/ DUNNING.

STEAM ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILEDjMR. 19. 19H. l 1,243,494. Patented ont 16,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. C. DUNNING.

STEAM ENGINHE. .APPLICATION FILED MR 19. 14917.

Patented Oct. 16, 1917" :afaI .51

infame UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIcE.

H-m C. D'Ulls'l'-'gGQ `specification or Lenen raient. Patented Oct. 16, 1917.

Application led Hatch 19, 1917. VSerial No. 155,871.

To all whom it-mayconcem:

Be it known that I, HARRY.C.-DUNNING, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago,l in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Engines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to steam engines of that type in which a pluralit of cylinders.

engine which may be operated at either very high or very low speeds, and may be reversed. instantly regardless of the speed at Which'it is operating; to provide an improved construction by which a wide range of adjustment of cutfof mechanism may be secured; and to provide an engine that Will be compact and -simple in construction and economical of operation. I accomplishthese objects as illustrated in the drawings and asv alo 2--2 of Fig. 1:;

` Fig. `3 is a 'sectional view illustrating the' steam sleeve by the adjustment of which the hereinafter described. That which I believe to be new is set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of my improved engine, substantially on line V1-'-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2A is a vertical-crosssection Online cut-off is regulated and the enginereversed; Fig. 41V is 'a side elevation of the engine, certain pal-ts being broken away; y

Fig. 5 is an end view of the right-hand end of the engine as shown in Fig. 4C;

. D block; and

Fig. 7 is an inner face view of one of the concentrically-monnted guide-disks. f,

Referring'to the draw-inesf- 8 indicates the intermediate portion of the main frame of the engine, which also con- Filr. G isV an elevation of the cylinder'- der-block and guide-disks. The member'S is preferably made in two' semi-cylindrical lsections, as shown in Fig. Il, connected by bolts 9 passing through flanges 10-411, 'but any suitable construction for the purpose may be employed. The. member 8 may be provided With any suitable standard or base, but in the drawings I have illustrated it as being provided with horizontally-disposed angleirons 12v secured to the flanges 11,-said an gle-irons forming a means ofv connection for standards 13 at the ends of the engine, as indicated by dotted lines4` in Fig. 2. This construction, however, may be varied as desired asit is not essential. 111-45 indicate end members. of the frame, which are attached, respectively, to opposite ends of the member 8, as' shown in Fig. 1, preferably by bolts 1(517 so that they may be removed when necessary. .The members 141-15 support various parts of the mechanism, as will iereinafter appear. 18 indicates the main or power-transmitting shaft of the engine, which is solid and extends through the mem-I` bers 8, 14 and 15 of 'the frame, as shown inl Fig. 1, .and is rotatabl supported by the members 14 -15. In cr er to minimize friction, ball-bearings'19-20 are provided in the members 14Fe15-forsup1nirting the end portions of saidv shaft, said ballbearings Vbeing fitted in suitable recesses covered by vremovable cap-plates "2l-#22, respectively.

In the drawings I have shown the cap-plate 21 as being provided with z i l1 '3" around the shaft 1S, and. if nl plate 22 may be similarly eclair ed. dicates a chamber within the fr ze member 8, and 25 indicates chamber within the frame member 15.2

26 indicates a cylinder-block, the con struction of which is'best shown in Figs. l.. 2 and 6. It comprises a circular casting having a hub portion 27 at one side which fits. snuglyV upon the shaft 18 and is nonrotatably secured thereto, preferablyby a key 28 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1; a hub port-ion 27"L at the other side, concen-y tric with the h ub portion- 27, having a bore of somewhat greater diameter than the bore of the hub portion `27, to enable it to fit upon the steam sleeve hereinafter described; and a plurality of cylinders 29 radially disposed around the axis Jof the cylinder-'block and spaced equally distant apart. Sai'cylinders. are connected by webs 29, as shown These cylinders open at their outer ends into the chamber 24, their inner ends openlng into passages 30 having ports 31 o ening'V into the b ore of the hub portion 2 32 indicates pistons fitted in the cylinders 29 bolts 34, spacing-collars 37 being provided between the marginal portions of said disks and the end portions' of the piston-rod bearings, as shown in Fig. 1. The disks 35-36 are open at the center, where they are provided with axial flanges 38V which are mounted upon ball-bearings 39-40 which are supported by the frame of the engine eccentrically of the axis of the shaft 18, as shown in Fig. 1. As therein illustrated, the bearings 39 are supported by an inwardly-projecting portion 14a ofthe frame member 14, and the bearings 4Q are supported by an inwardlyprojecting portion 4la of a frame 41 which is disposed in the chamber 25 and projects into the chamber 24 at the right-hand side thereof, as shown in Fig. 1. 42 indicates bolts securing the frame 41 to the frame member 8. 43 indicates a plurality of'. circular bearings or rings carried by one or both of the guide-disks 35-36 in the peripheral portions thereof and between the holes 44 which receive the pivot-bolts 34, as shown in Fig. 7. In the drawings I have shown the guide-bearings 43 as provided only in the guide-disks 35, but' obviouslythey may also be provided in the disk 36. Said guide-bearings are preferably spaced equally distant apart, as shown. 45 indicates studs which project laterally from the webs 29, the number of said studs corresponding with the number of bearin rings 43.' Said studs carry rollers 46 which are adapted to travel around the inner surfacesA of said bearing rings, as best shown in Fig. 2 andact to makethecylinder-block 26 and the guide-disks 35 and 36 rotate together notwithstanding the eccentricity of their respective axes-this being compensated for by the fact that the rollersl 46 move radially with reference to the axis of the guide-disks as they travel over the inner surfaces of the guide-rings 43. At the same time a limited amount of relative rotation is permitted between the guide-disks and the cylinder.

block, since the rollers 46 also are shifted tangentially with reference to the guidedisks as they travel around the guide-rings 43. It will-be' apparent from an inspection' -of' Fig. 2 that by the construction described the several pistons will at any instant oc -cupy different positions in their respective cylinders. AWith the parts in the situation there shown, the uppermost piston occupies vhe cylinder-block,` guide-disks and power-transmitting shaft are caused to rotate by vthe admission of steam in the severall cylinders in succession by means of suitable lcontrolling mechanism adjustable to regulate the portion of each cycle during which the steam is admitted, and also to regulate the direction of rotation of the power shaft and the parts connected therewith. Such controlling or regulating mechanism will now be described.

47 indicates a sleeve, which I term a steam sleeve, as it controls the admission of steam to the several cylinders and also the exhaustion of steam therefrom. The construction of said sleeve is best shown in Figs. 1 and 3. As therein shown, said sleeve which is suitably journaled in the frame member 41, is adapted to fit over the main shaft 18 and also to fit into the hubortion 27 1 which bears upon its outer sur ace, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the ports 31, except as hereinafter explained, are closed by -said sleeve. Said sleeve is supported independently of said shaft and is out of contact therewith, as shown in Fig. 2, and indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. It is also movable longitudinally thereof. For the purpose of,

between its ends,`\its lower end being bifurcated to stra-dille the sleeve 47, and its branches having recesses 53 to receive pins 54 projectingl from diametrically-opposite oints on a collar 47a fitted ina groove 47b 1n the right-hand end portion of the sleeve, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Thus, .by rocking the lever 48 the sleeve 47 may be shifted longitudinallyl upon the shaft 18 but it is left free to be rocked as hereinafter described. For rocking said sleeve I provide a gear 55 which engages a wide segmental rack fmounted to rock upon the pivot 57. Said pivot, which is journaled in -a boss 58 carried by the frame member 15, also'carries la. pinion 59 with which meshes a raclobar 60 adapted to slide in a suitable guide 61,*as

las

the rack-bar 61 by pins 64 moving inlia slot 65 in the lower end portion vof said lever. lonsequently, by operating the lever 62, the pinion 59 may be oscillated, thereby rocking the pivot 57 and the rack 56. The rocking movement of said rack-56 .is transmitted to the sleeve/17 by -the gear 5 5. The lever 62 isV provided' with a notched-rack 66 and locking-dog 67 so that it may be secured either at its neutral point or in forward or reverse position. the construction shown for rocking the steam sleeve, but any other suitable arrangement for the purpose vmay be employed. The man-. ner in which the rocking of said sleeve af` fects the direction of rotation'of theA engine will behereinafter explained. A

As best shown in Fig. 1,`the steam sleeve V4:7 extends through a sleeve 68 which is fitted in the casting 41 and forms any annular `chamber 69 around a section of the periphery of the steam sleeve 117, in which is proa throttle-valve 74 of any suitable type.

V pipe 73 lows vvided an annular slot 70.

The chamber 69 is adapted to be sup lied with steam through openings 71 in the s/eeve 68 which openings communicate with an Iannular passage/72 1n the casting 41, said passage being supplied with steam through a pipe 7 3 provided with Thus, steam Ventering through through passage 72 and openings 71 into chamber 69 and thence through groove 70 into a longitudinal passage 75 between the steam sleeve 47 and the shaft`18, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, and better shown" in Fig. 3.` Said passage is preferably cylindrical in form, as shown in Fig. 3, and terminates in a diagonally-disposed slot 76 in the outer surface of the steam sleeve which extends through an angle of preferably about one hundred and twenty-two degrees.

Said slot is inclinedin order that by movingl the steam sleeve 47 longitudinally a greater or less portion of such'slot may be caused to underlie the path of the ports 31 as the cylinder-block rotates. The construc tion is such that within a rangel o movement of the'sleeve 47 defined by the width of jof -arc may be obtained.

till

said slot 76, a variation of the cut-ofl` fromy zero to one hundred and twentystwo Vdegrees For example, by placing the steam sleeve so that no portion of, the slot 76 `underlies the 'path of the ,ports 31, no steam will be admitted to the cylinders at any point in their rotation By movin the sleeve47 longitudinally so that througlout' its length it underlies some por- {ign of the path of the ports 31, steam will admitted to the cylinders while they move through` an arc of approximately one hundrifd and twenty-two degrees, or whatever other arc may be comprehended withi n the Intermediate posltions length of the slot.

of the sleeve 47 correspondingly affect the pc`i1'1t ofcutol". At ,the inner end of the I prefer, tov uses1eeve'47 and extending inwardly fromsuch' inner end is a segmental passage 77 which, in the construction shown, extends through an arc of one hundred' and eighty degrees, and opens into a peripheral groove orfrecess 78 in the sleeve 47 which underlies the ppth of the ports "31 at all times re ardless o the longitudinal adjustment of sai sleeve.

4rSaidgroove 78 also extends throughan arc' 'rof'one hundred and eight de rees and it yisl located iat the opposite si e o the sleeve 47 Afrom the slot 76, .as shown in Fig.' 2.' Said recess 78 and the passage @77 form exhaust passages `through whichfthieexliaust steam may escape into anaexliaust' chamber 79- lyingbetween .the hub 'portion'27and the in-' nerend of the sleevej'.r Bassages 80 vlead from the"Y exhaust chamber ,17 9"to the ,space exhaust steam.flows -tothe chamber 2 4, an'd is then dischargedthrbugh ann exhaust pipe 81 shown in Fig. 4. l So'm of the exhaustv steam also is discharged ltlirou h the'space between the sleeve 217 andthe s ftf18. The operation ofzthe engine is as follows:

With' the'partsgin the rposition shown in` Figs. 1 and. 2, the",I piston f' cylinder ,c is slightly beyond dead center, assuming the cylinderblock o,be rotating-4 in acontraclockwise direc ioni, this time steam is being admittedatoclylinders band c and is exhaustingfrom cy ,indes d, e, andj. No

.steam is being admittedto cylinder a, however, because its portljs closed since it overlies an unbrokenl portion` of the 'surface of thesleeve 47. soon as the cylinder, b loclicontinu its 'rotation far enough lto bring the port of cylinder'a over theslot 7 6, ysteam Vwill 'be `admitted to said cylinder,` but cylinders 'b and c'will continue under vpressure sincethejlatter c linder will notv be out xoi' until its port 31' ispclosed by said sleeve. Thus, three cylinders will be re. ceiving steam whilethe other three will be exhausting.. The admission of steam to cylinder a will force Iits piston outward, and

owing to the eccntricity .of the guide-'disks 35-36 its pistonrod will assume an' inclined position with reference to the axis of the cylinder, as illustrated in connection with the other cylinders; Soon' after each cylinder passesthe position oi cylinder c, lits steam will be cutoff, and shortly before it reaches the position .of lcylinder dit will be connected with the exhaust passage- 78. This vis timedto occur when the different pistons reach the outerlimitof their movef ment., On the returnstroke of the pistons the steam will be exhausted in the manner already described. By shifting sleeve 47 longitudinally to the right, the period during which steam is admitted may bereduced as desired'so that the engine may be allowed to runrffnfia greter or part of ists cycle on .expfuusxoci.;.y 0,;,revere the `che lso the speed of rtheengine, as its effect will be simply to stop the rotation of the cylinderb'lock in one direction and resume it in the opposite direction. It will be noted that at all times several of the cylinders are under 1 15 pressure, consequently the torque is practically constant, giving very uniform results with the absence of vibration, 'making possible the attainment of very high speed with consequent increase of power.

I wish it to be understood that my invention is not restricted to the specific embodiment thereof illustratedin the drawings, but includes generically7 thek subject-matter of the claims hereinafter made, except in so far as `such claims aredirected toparticular features of theconstruction shown and described.

That which I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,-

1. A steam engine, comprising a solidjrotating shaft, bearings for the end portions of said shaft, a plurality of cylinders mounted on saidshaft between its'eiids and connected to rotate therewith, pistons operating in said cylinders, eccentric means connected with said pistons and rotating with said cylinders, controlling means adjustable to vary the' point of cut-ofi', means for adjusting said controlling means, and means 40 connected with said controlling means for supplying steam to the engine.

2. A steam engine, comprising a solid rotating shaft, bearings for the end portions j of said shaft, av cylinder-block mounted on 4D said shaft between its ends and connected to rotate therewith and having a plurality of cylinders, pistons operating in said cylinders, eccentric means connected with ,said pistons and rotating with said cylinder \block, controlling'means adjustable to vary the point of cut-off, means for adjusting said controlling means, and means conne ted with said controlling means for suppl'ying steam to the engine.

'/3. A steamengine, comprising a solid ro-. t/ating shaft, bearings-for the end portions of said shaft, a plurality of cylinders mounted on said shaft between its ends and connected to rotate therewith, pistons operating i'i said cylinders, eccentric means connected with said pistons and rotating with said cylinders, an adjustable steam slcc-ve fitted ov`jer said shaft and having aport in its outer surface for admitting steam to said cylinders and a longitudinally-extending passage for conducting steam to said port and means.

connected with said steam sleeve for supplying steam thereto.

4. A steam engine, comprising a solid lrotating shaft, bearings for the end portions `of said shaft, a cylinder-block mounted on ing steam thereto.

5. A steam engine, comprising a solid rotating shaft, bearings for the end portionsV of said shaft, a plurality of cylinders mounted on said shaft betweenits ends and connected to rotate therewith, pistons operating in said cylinders, eccentric 4means connected .with said pistons rand rotating with said cylinders, and a steam sleeve fitted over said shaft and having a port in its outer surface4 for admitting steam to said cylinders, a longitudinally-entending'w passage for conducting steam to said port and a peripheral exhaust passage.

v6:A steam engine, comprising a solid ro-k tating shaft, bearings for the end portions of said shaft, a cylinder-block mounted on said shaft between its' ends and connected to rotate therewith and having a plurality of cylinders, pistons operating in said cylinders, eccentric means connected with saidv pistons and rotating with said cylinderblock, and a steam sleeve fitted over said shaft and having a port in its outer surface for admitting steam to. said cylinders, a longitudinally-extending passage for conducting steam to said port and a peripheral eX- haust passage.

7 'A steam engine', comprising a rotating shaft,l a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate with said shaft, pistons operating in said cylinders, eccentric means connected with said'pistons and rotating with said cylinders, an adjustable sleeve concentric with and extending over said shaft for controlling the admission of steam to said cylinders and having a steam conducting pasy sage, and means connected with said sleeve for supplying steam thereto.

4for conducting steam to said port and means l connected with said steam sleeve forsupply'- 8. A steam engine, comprising a rotating shaft, a cylinder-block mounted to rotate ling the admission of steam to said cyli'hders, and' having' asteam conducting passage, and. means connected with, said sleeve for supplying steam thereto,`

9. A steam engine, Vcomprising a rotating shaft, a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotatewith said shaft, pistons operating in ported independently of said shaft for regulating the cut-off.

11. A steam engine, comprising a rotating shaft, a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate with said shaft, pistons operating in said-cylinders, eccentric means connected with said pistons and rotating with said cylinders, and a sleeve extending over and supported independently of said shaft, said sleeve being movable longitudinally for varying the cut-off.

12; A steam engine, comprising a rotating shaft,l a cylinder-block mounted to rotate Vwith said shaft and having a plurality of cylinders, pistons operating in said cylinders, eccentric means connected with said pistons and Vrotating' with said cylinderblock, and a sleeve extending over and supported independently of said shaft, said sleeve being movable longitudinally for varying the cut-0f.

13. A steam engine, comprising a rotating shaft, a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate with said shaft, pistons operating in said cylinders, eccentric means connected with said pistons and rotating with said cyl ind'ers, and a sleeve extending over and supported independently of said shaft, said sleeve being movable longitudinally for varying the cut-off, and having a longitudinally-extending steam passage therein and a diagonalslot in the outer surface thereof communicating with said passage.

14. A steam engine, comprising a rotating shaft, a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate with said shaft, istons`operating in said cylinders, eccentric means connected with said pistons and rotating with said cylinderw a: v' frire extending over and su ported independently of lsaid shaft, said sleevebeing movable longitudinally for varying the cut-oif, and having a longitudinally-extending steam passage therein and a diagonal slot in the outer surface thereof cen'mumi f" 'afith said passage, and an exhaust ps in said-sleeve. 15. A'steam engine, comprising a rotating shaft, a' plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate with said shaft, pistons operating in said cylinders, eccentric means connected with said pistons and rotating with said cylinders, and a sleeve extending over and su ported independently of said shaft, said sleeve being movable independently of said shaft to reverse the direction of rotation of the engine.

16. A steam engine, comprising a rotating shaft, .a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate with said shaft, pistons operating in said cylinders, eccentric means connected with said pistons and rotating with said cyl"- inders, and' a sleeve extending over and su ported independently of said shaft, said sleeve being rotatable independently of said shaft to change the direction of rotation of the en ine. 1

17. steam engine, comprising a rotating shaft, a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate with said shaft, pistons operating in said cylinders, eccentric means connected with said pistons and rotating with said cylinders, and a sleeve extending over and supported independently of said shaft, said ,sleeve being rotatable independently of said also movable longi-ishaft, said sleeve bein tudinally of said sha t whereby the..direc' tion of rotation of the engine andthe cut-olft may be varied by adjusting said sleeve.

atV

18. A steam engine, 'comprising-a rotating shaft, a' plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate with said shaft,epistons'operating in '100 said cylinders, eccentricl means connected with said, pistons and rotating with said cylinders, a sleeve extending over and su ported independently of said shaft, said sleeve being 4rotatable inde endentlyof said.

shaft and'being also Inova le longitudinally of said shaft whereby the direction 'of rotationl of the engine and the cut-ofi' may be varied by adjusting said sleeve,'and an exliaust passage in said sleeve.

19. A steam enginecom rising a lural-l ity of cylinders radially isposed about a common center, axially-disposed means f or controlling the admission of steam-to the in'ner end portions of saidcylinders in sequence, pistons in said cylinders, a-rotar eccentrically-mounted member, piston-ro s connecting said member with each of said pistons, means` connecting said eccentricallymounted member with said cylindersjand permittin relative movement thereof inci- 'dent to t e eccentricity of their resl ective axes, a solid shaft upon which said cy nders are mounted between its ends, and bearings for the end portions of said shaft.

20. A steam engine, com rising a lurality of cylinders radiallyis osed a outa common center, a rotary sha t upon which said cylinders are mounted, axially-disposed means concentric with said shaft for controlling the admission of steam to the inner end iso portionsof said cylinders in sequence, istons in said cylinders, a rotary eccentrica lymounted member, piston-rods connecting Saidjmember with each of said pistons, one or more circular bearings carrled by said cccentrically-'mounted member, and a roller or rollers of less diameter than the internal diameter of said bearin s connected with said cylinders and operatlng in said bearin or bearings for connecting said member Witlgi said cylinders and permitting limited move'- ment thereof With relation to each other.

21. A steam engine, comprising a cylinder-block having a plurality of cylinders radially disposed around a common axis and axially-disposed ports leading to the inner end portions of said cylinder-s, a steam sleeve having an external journal bearing in said cylinder-block for controlling the admission of steam to said. cylinders in sequence, pistons in said cylinders, and means connected with said pistons and actuated thereby for effecting therotation of said cylinder-block.

22. A steam engine, comprising a cylinder-block having a plurality of cylinders radially disposed around a commonv axis and axially-disposed ports leading to the inner end portions of said cylinders, a sleeve having an external journal bearing in said cylin er-block for controlling the admission of steam to Asaid cylinders; in sequence, pistons y in said cylinders, and means connected with said pistons and actuated thereby for eii'ect- .ing the rotation of said.cylinder-bleck, said sleeve being adjustable to vary the eut-oil'.

23. A steam engine, comprising a cylinder-block having a plurality of cylinders r radially disposed around a common axis and axially-disposed ports leading to the inner end portions of saidv cylinders, a sleeve havan external journal bearing in said cyl- 1n iner-block for controlling the admission of steam to said cylinders in sequence, pistons in said cylinders, and means connected with said pistons and actuated thereby for effecting the rotation of said cylinder-block, said sleeve being adjustable to reverse the direction of rotation of the engine.

24. A steam engine, comprising a powertransmittin shaft, a cylinder-block mounted upon an keyed to said shaft between the ends thereof, bearings for the end portions of said shaft, said cylinder-block having a plurality of radially-disposed cylinders, a steam sleeve constituting a steam conduit adjustably mounted over said shaft and cooperating With said cylinders to control the admission of steam thereto, manually operated means for adjusting said sleeve, pistons in said cylinders, an' eceentrically-mounted disk connected with said pistons, and means operatively connecting said disk -With said cylinder-block for permitting relative movement thereof to compensate for the eccentricity of their respective axes.

25. A steam engine, comprising a powertransmitting shaft, a cylinder-block mounted upon and keyed to said shaft, said cylinder-block having a plurality of radially-disposed cylinders, a steam sleeve constituting a steam conduit adjustably mounted over' said shaft and cooperating with said cylinders to c'ontrol the admission of steam thereto, manually operated means for adjusting said sleeve, pistons in said cylinders, eccentrieally-mounted disks at opposite sides of said cylinder-block, means connecting said disks with said pistons, and means connecting said disks with said cylinder-block and permitting relative movement thereof to compensate for the eceentricity of their respective axes.

HARRY o. DUNNING. 

